Clutch mechanism



June 11, 1940. YOUNG I 2,204,241

CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTOR B y Hus'rlN E. You/vq WQW . A TTORNEVS June 11, 1940. A. a. YOUNG 2,204,241

CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Aug. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fZi-F 83 Q3 94 fiZi-E I IIIII'AI V M W Hus TIN E. You/vq BY "/11 w aa r I ATTORNEYS Patented June I 1 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH MECHANISM Application August 29,

9 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements such as potato diggers and the like, and is more particularly concerned with lifting clutch mechanism for raising and lowering the operating units between ground engaging and transport positions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of new and improved self-interrupting clutch means for raising and lowering implement units relative to the main supporting frame thereof.

Another object is to provide a lifting clutch that is simple, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture. v

A further object is to provide lifting mechanism actuated by a supporting ground wheel and which is operable by backing the implement.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred construction, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of apotato digger embodying the principles of, the present invention, with the near supporting wheel removed in order to better illustrate the parts of the machine;

Figure 2 is a top view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the power lift unit; 7

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 5;

Figure 4 is a side view of the power lift unit shown in Figure 2, with the parts arranged in the positions they occupy when the shovel unit is raised to transport position;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4, showing the positions assumed by the parts when the shovel unit is lowered to ground working position;

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially along 40 the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the arrangement of the internal parts when the power lift unit is in the position illustrated in Figure 4; I 1

Figure 8 is a view showing the alternate connection of the lifting linkage to the power lift unit for raising the shovel unit when the implement is backed up, the parts being shown in the positions they assume when the shovel unit is in digging position;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but with the shovel unit raised to transport position; and

Figure 10 is a partial section, showing the arrangement of the internal parts when the power lift is in the position shown in Figure 9.

1938, Serial No. 227,241

Referring now to the drawings and more parany suitable construction bolted to the front ends of draft frame I l. The hitch plate [2 is adapted to be connected with or carry a part l3 by which the front end of the machine is arranged to be supported, either on the drawbar ofa propelling tractor, or on a suitable foretruok, as desired.

Supporting wheels M are mounted on a transverse axle l5 and the latter is journaled in suitable bearing brackets l6 fixed to the horizontal frame l0.

The shovel unit of the machine is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 22 and comprises an inclined frame 23 which is pivotally connected at 24 to the horizontal frame l0 and is provided at its lower end with a shovel 25. Side walls 26 and curved guard members 30 define the throat of the shovel unit 22, the guard member 30 being disposed ahead of and embracing a portion of the raising and lowering means to shield the same.

The elevator of the potato digger is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 3| and preferably comprises a single endless chain or belt of transversely disposed interlocking rods of more or less conventional design trained over supporting rollers which are rotatably supported in any suitable manner on the frames I0, 23. The rear portion of the elevator passes over driving sprockets (not shown) fixed in any suitable man ner to a drive shaft 33 which is mounted for rotation in the rear brackets 20. The drive shaft 33 is extended through the bracket 20 and a sprocket 34 is fixed to the end thereof with a driving chain 35 trained around the sprocket.

The shovel unit 22 is raised and lowered by means including atransverse rock shaft 54' journaled in brackets 55 that are fixed to the frame 10. Each end of the rock shaft 54 is provided with a lifting arm56 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 54 in any suitable manner. The outer end of the arm 56 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a yoke 60 comprising part of a link 6| having a hook in its lower end that is engaged in an apertured bracket 62 which is fixed to the forward end of the shovel unit frame 22.

The operating depth of the shovel 25 is determined by adjustable control means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 58, which acts to limit the rocking movement of the shaft 54 in a counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the weight of the shovel unit 22 and is actuated by a hand crank 59. Details of the construction and operation of this depth adjusting mechanism is described in the above mentioned patent.

The rock shaft 54 is actuated by power derived from one of the supporting wheels [4, and to this end the lifting arm 56 is formed with a lug 63 serving as an actuating arm for the rock shaft 54, and a yoke 64 is pivoted to the arm 63 and is adjustably connected, as at 65, to the forward end of a longitudinally disposed link 66. The rear end of the link 65 is fixed, as by welding, to a bar it! which is slotted, as at H and engages a crank pin 12 that is carried on and forms a part of the power lift unit, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral '53. A spring 14 is connected at its forward end to the link 66 and at its rear end to the pin 12 so that the latter always tends to occupy a forward position in the slot H. The purpose of the slot H is to provide a limited amount of lost motion in the lifting linkage so that the depth adjustment of the shovel unit 22 will not affect the operation of the power lift unit 13.

The power lift unit 13 includes a rotatable disc-like member 15 having a solid outer face 15 (Figures 4 and 5) and laterally inwardly directed flange and hub sections and 8|. The crank pin 12 is preferably in the form of a bolt threaded into a threaded aperture 18 formed in the outer face It of the rotatable member 15 and is provided with a sleeve bushing Tl (Figure 3) adapted to slide freely back and forth within the slot "H. The hub section 8i is provided with a cam portion 19 and is journaled for rotation on a stub shaft 82 carried in fixed relation on the frame H] by any suitable means, such as a bracket 83. The flange section is in the nature of a mutilated gear having a gear segment 84 extending around a portion of the outer periphery of the member 75 and adapted to mesh with a driving gear 85 fixed to rotate with the ground wheel M at all times. The end teeth 84a and 841) at each end of the gear segment are pointed to facilitate engagement with the driving gear 85. The inner periphery of the laterally inwardly directed flange 80 is provided with a pair of recesses 86 and 87 disposed sub stantially diametrically opposite one another and adapted to receive a pin 90 fixed on the end of a control lever SH and extending laterally outwardly therefrom into the space between the hub BI and flange 80. The control lever 9| is pivoted on a pin 92 suitably secured in the bracket 83 and is held with the pin pressing outwardly against the inner periphery of the flange 80 by a spring 93, that is anchored at one end to the lever 9i and is connected at the other end to an arm 94 which is bolted to bracket 83. Normally, the pin 90 engages one of the recesses 86, 81 to hold the power lift gear in either the lowered position shown in Fig. 6 or the raised position shown in Fig. 7. A second threaded aperture 95 is provided in the outer face 16 of the rotatable member 15 substantially diametrically opposite aperture 18, and by removing the bolt 12 from aperture 18 and threading it into aperture 95, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the power lift 13 can be made to raise the shovel unit 22 upon backing the machine up. The apertures 18 (Figure 8) and 95 (Figure 5) preferably are formed in a counterweighted portion 16a (Figures 2 and 5) which extends arcuately from the edge 16b (Figure 5) to the edge (Figure 8). A trip rope 96 (Fig. 1) is attached at its rear end to the control lever 9! to enable the operator to control the power lift from his station on the tractor.

The operation of the power lift described above is substantially as follows:

When the shovel unit is in its lowered or operating position the power lift parts are in the positions shown in Figures 5 and 6. If it is desired to raise the shovel unit into its inoperative or transport position, the operator pulls on the rope 95, which swings the control lever 9i forwardly into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6. This disengages the pin 90 from the recess 8'! and brings the pin 90 into engagement with the hub cam 19, which, assisted by the counterweighted portion 16a of the gear member '15, causes the power lift gear 15 to be rotated through a slight angle against the action of the spring 14 so as to bring the first tooth 8M into engagement with the teeth on the driving gear 85. The rotation of the wheel l4 drives the gear 85 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6 and this, in turn, rotates the gear member 15in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 4-6, inclusive. The first part of the rotation of the member 15 when the tooth 84a initially engages the gear 85 is not utilized to raise the shovel; instead, the first movement of the gear member '15 is opposed only by the spring 14, until the pin 12 is moved outwardly to the end of the slot ll. At this time the continued rotation of the gear member 15 then exerts a pull on the link 65 and rocks the shaft 54 in a clockwise direction, thereby lifting the shovel unit 22 into its raised posi- L tion. It will thus be seen that no lifting action takes place. until the teeth on the gear members 75 and 85 are fully in mesh. As the gear member 15 rotates, the hub cam 19 deflects the pin 90 outwardly, rocking the control lever back in a clockwise direction and exerting a warning pull on the trip rope 96 in the event that the operator has not yet released his pull on the rope. When the gear 85 has driven the power lift gear 15 through substantially the recess 86 is in a position to engage the pin 9|] after the last tooth 84b has cleared the teeth of gear 85 and the gear member 15 has rotated a slight amount further in the same direction under the influence of the spring 14 and the weight of the shovel unit 22. pin i2 isthus brought to over center position with relation to the shaft 82, and the weight of the raised shovel unit 22 exerts a clockwise turning force on the gear member 15, said turning force being resisted by the engagement of the pin 90 in the recess 86. When the trip rope 96 is again pulled, the pin 80 is released from the recess 86, and the shovel unit 22 lowers by virtue of its own weight, pulling the power lift gear 15 around again in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this position being determined by the engagement of the pin 90 in the recess 81 and by the tension of the spring 14 against the crank 12.

When it is desired to effect the raising of the shovel unit 22 while backing the machine up, the crank pin 12 is removed from the aperture 18 and threaded into the aperture 95, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. With the shovel unit 22 As will be noted in Fig. 4, the crank lowered into the ground the power lift parts now assume the positions shown in Fig. 8, the combined weight of the parts attached to the crank pin 12 and the weight of the counterweighted portion 160. on the gear member 15 serving to hold the end tooth 84b of the gear member 15 in light contact with the teeth of driving gear 85. As long as the machine moves forwardly, the driving gear 85 rotates in a counterclockwise direction and the end tooth 84b slips over the teeth of the driving gear85' with a ratchet efiect. When the machine is backed up, however, and the gear 85 is rotated in the H direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8, the contacting tooth 84b meshes with the gear 85 and the power lift member 15 is rotated counterclockwise until the last tooth 84a has passed out of mesh with driving gear 85, at which time the motion of gear member 15, having carried the crank pin 12 beyond dead center, is stopped by the engagement of pin 90 in recess 81, as best shown in Fig, 10. In this instance the engagement of the power lift gear 15 with the driving gear 85 is automatic and occurs the moment the machine begins to move in reverse, the control lever 9| being used only when the shovel is in raised position to disengage the pin 90 from the recess 81 to allow the shovel unit to drop by gravity to its lowered digging position.

What I claim as new is:

1. A self interrupting clutch comprising, in combination, a driving gear, a driven mutilated gear member having teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of said driving gear and rotate therewith through a portion of a revolution, control means engageable with said driven member for holding the latter out of engagement with said driving gear in either of two positions, means engaged by said control means and coacting therewith for engaging said driven member with said driving gear, and link means connected with said driven member.

2. A clutch as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by said link means being connected with said driven member by lost motion means which includes a biasing spring tending to take up said lost motion, rotation of said driving gear serving to bias said spring when the teeth of the driven gear are initially meshed with the teeth of said driving gear,

3. A self interrupting clutch comprising, 'in combination, a driving gear, a driven mutilated gear member having teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of said driving gear and rotate therewith through a portion of a revolution, said driven member having a cam portion provided thereon, and releasable means for holding said driven member out of engagement with said driving gear, said holding means co-operating with said cam portion, whenreleased, to engage said driven member with said driving gear.

4. A lifting clutch comprising a normally rotating driving member, a normally stationary driven member adapted to contact said driving memberv and rotate therewith through a partial revolution, releasable control means for holding said driven member out of contact with said driving member, means responsive to movement of said control means for urging said driven member into contact with said driving member, and link means connected with said driven member. I

5. A lifting clutch comprising a driving gear normally rotating in one direction, a driven mutilated gear member disposed in sliding contact with said driving gear when the latter is rotating in one direction, said driven gear being engaged by said driving gear and rotated into mesh therewith when the driving gear rotates in the opposite direction, said driven gear member rotating with the driving gear through a partial revolution, means for holding said driven member out of engagement with said driving gear at the completion of said partial revolution, and means for returning said driven member to its. initial position.

6. The combination, with an implement'having a frame, a supporting wheel journaled thereon, a ground engaging tool mounted on said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, and lifting mechanism for raising and lowering said tool between operative and inoperative positions, of a lifting clutch comprising a driving gear actuated by said wheel, a driven member journaled on said frame and having a plurality of gear teeth formed along a portion of the outer periphery thereof adapted to mesh with the teeth of said driving gear and rotate therewith through substantially a half revolution, a control lever pivoted on said frame and engaging said driven member at either of two points to hold said driven member out of engagement with said driving gear, a crank pin fixed on said driven member in one position, means for mounting said crank pin on said driven member in a second position substantially diametrically opposite said first position whereby said lifting clutch is operable when said implement is backed up, and link means operatively connecting said crank pin with said lifting mechanism.

7. The combination, with an implement having a frame, a supporting wheel journaled thereon, a ground engaging tool mounted on said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, and lifting mechanism for raising and lowering said tool between operative and inoperative positions, of a lifting clutch comprising a driving gear actuated by said wheel, a driven member journaled on said frame and consisting of a hub campertion and an outer flange portion, said flange having a plurality of gear teeth formed along a portion of the outer periphery thereof adapted to mesh with the teeth of said driving gear and rotate therewith through substantially a half revolution, a control lever pivoted on said frame and having a pin at the end thereof extending laterally into the space between said hub cam portion and said flange portion, said flange having pair of recesses formed in the inner periphery thereof substantially diametrically opposite one another and adapted to receive said control lever pin, whereby said driven member is held against rotation and out of contact with said driving gear in either of two positions, said pin acting against said cam when said control lever is tripped to engage said driven member with said driving gear, a crank pin fixed to said driven member, and link means operatively connecting said crank pin withsaid lifting mechanism.

8. For use with an implement having a wheel supported frame and an operating tool connected therewith for vertical movement between working and transport positions, a lifting clutch comprising a driving gear operatively connected with one of the supporting wheels, a driven gear member journaled on said frame and operatively connected with said driving gear so as to be rotated thereby through substantially a half revolution, control means on said frame engageable with ate'during either forward or rearward travel ofthe implement.

9. In combination, an implement frame, a tool connected therewith for vertical movement between a lowered working position and a raised transport position, a normally rotating driving gear journaled 0n the frame, a mutilated gear having teeth provided on less than half of its periphery, said mutilated gear being adapted to mesh with said driving gear and rotate therewith through a half revolution, link means connecting said mutilated gear with said tool whereby the latter is raised and lowered by rotation of the mutilated gear, control means operable to hold said mutilated gear in either of two diametrically opposite positions disengaged from said driving gear, said tool being raised when the mutilated gear is in one position and lowered when in the other position, said tool dropping by gravity from said raised transport position when said control means is actuated one time, causing said mutilated gear to rotate from said one position to said other position, and said mutilated gear being urged into engagement with said driving gear when said control means is actuated the succeeding time.

AUSTIN E. YOUNG. 

